Petch Petpailin

Petpailin, or Petch, is a Thai translator and writer for The Thaiger who focuses on translating breakingThai news stories into English. With a background in field journalism, Petch brings several years of experience to the English News desk at The Thaiger. Before joining The Thaiger, Petch worked as a content writer for several known blogging sites in Bangkok, including Happio and The Smart Local. Her articles have been syndicated by many big publishers in Thailand and internationally, including the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Bangkok Post. She is a news writer who stops reading news on the weekends to spend more time cafe hopping and petting dwarf shrimp! But during office hours, you can find Petch on LinkedIn and you can reach her by email at petch@thethaiger.com.
  • Thailand NewsBritish woman rescued after falling from Koh Samui waterfall

    British woman rescued after falling from Koh Samui waterfall

    Rescue teams and administrative officers yesterday successfully saved a British woman who fell from the Hin Lad Waterfall on Koh Samui island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The 46 year old British woman, Hema Mantra, sought help from the Koh Samui District Office after slipping and collapsing at the waterfall. She informed officers that she felt pain in…

  • Thailand NewsSuvarnabhumi Airport sorry after train breakdown causes 30-minute delay

    Suvarnabhumi Airport sorry after train breakdown causes 30-minute delay

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok issued an apology following a breakdown of the automated people mover (APM) train today, February 23, resulting in passengers being stranded in the underground train station and a 30-minute delay. The driverless APM train operates between the new concourse, Satellite 1 (SAT1), and the main passenger terminal. Today marked the first malfunction since the concourse…

  • Thailand NewsThai transwoman arrested for trying to swindle monk

    Thai transwoman arrested for trying to swindle monk

    Police arrested a Thai transwoman for offering a sex service and trying to swindle 20,000 baht from a monk at the Dong Sam Muen Monastery in the northern province of Lamphun. The 33 year old monk, Phra Kru Winai Dhammawat, collaborated with officers from Ban Hong Police Station to setup the 23 year old transwoman, Charnnarong, leading to her arrest…

  • Thailand NewsRiot fallout: 18 ex-inmates face death sentence in Thailand prison riot

    Riot fallout: 18 ex-inmates face death sentence in Thailand prison riot

    Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in the central province of Kanchanaburi sentenced 18 former Thai inmates to death following the death of two people and six injuries in a riot in the Thong Phra Phum Prison nine years ago. The death penalty was given to 18 of the 26 inmates involved in the riot that occurred on February 22, 2015.…

  • Thailand NewsSerial rapist remains at large after assaulting boys in Rayong

    Serial rapist remains at large after assaulting boys in Rayong

    Residents in the eastern province of Rayong condemned police for failing to arrest a serial rapist who repeatedly assaulted more than 10 boys in the province for years. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, yesterday, February 22, accompanied two Thai boys, aged 11 and 14 years old, to Mueang Rayong Police Station to file a complaint against the rapist named…

  • Thailand NewsThai mother exposes school bullying and seeks justice for her son

    Thai mother exposes school bullying and seeks justice for her son

    A Thai mother took to social media to share a bullying incident at a school in the Sriracha district of Chon Buri province and seek justice for her son, who has been a victim of his classmates for years. The mother posted the story of her son on Facebook two days ago, February 20. She revealed to the public that…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival wins best eco-friendly festival

    Bangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival wins best eco-friendly festival

    The 2023 Bangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival at the Ong Ang Canal near Bangkok’s Chinatown scooped an Asia Pinnacle Award for the Best Eco-Friendly Festival category. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) official Facebook page yesterday, February 21, invited its followers to join in celebrating the latest award, Best Eco-Friendly Festival, from Asia’s Pinnacle Awards. The BMA added that the representative would attend…

  • Thailand NewsBare truth: Thai man’s crystal meth nap leads to roadside arrest

    Bare truth: Thai man’s crystal meth nap leads to roadside arrest

    Police arrested a Thai man this afternoon for lying naked on the roadside in the eastern province of Trat. The man confessed that the crystal meth he had taken made him feel sleepy and hot. Motorists in the Wang Krajae sub-district of Trat spotted the Thai man, later identified as 39 year old Amphon, lying naked on the side of…

  • Thailand NewsThai abbot loses amulets worth over 50 million baht to scammers

    Thai abbot loses amulets worth over 50 million baht to scammers

    A Thai abbot at Pak Khlong Temple in the western province of Phetchaburi lost valuable amulets worth 50 million baht to two scammers. The 84 year old abbot, Sophiwacharachote, filed a theft report at Ban Laem Police Station on February 19 after two Thai men stole 15 Buddhist amulets, 2,500 baht in cash, and important documents from him. The stolen…

  • Thailand NewsThai net idol accuses ex-boyfriend of releasing her explicit videos

    Thai net idol accuses ex-boyfriend of releasing her explicit videos

    A Thai net idol accused her ex-boyfriend of posting explicit videos of her on a social media account with more than two million followers. She contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers from two police stations ignored her complaint. Saimai Survive team members accompanied the victim, a 30 year old Internet idol and former car racer, to the Cyber…

  • Thailand NewsThai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13

    Thai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13

    A Thai man addicted to drugs crashed his pickup into a roadside pavilion in the Sadao district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to 13 other pupils. Officers from Sadao Police Station were alerted to the fatal car accident at about 11am yesterday, February 21. The accident took place when…

  • Thailand NewsThai Cabinet rejects gender recognition bill, citing crime concerns

    Thai Cabinet rejects gender recognition bill, citing crime concerns

    The Thai Cabinet yesterday rejected the proposed Act on Gender Recognition, Title, and Protection of Gender Diversity, citing concerns about false identities if people are allowed to use preferred titles. The titles of people in the LGBTQA+ community have been trending on Thai social media since a transgender model, Phacharanat “Mimi” Nobantao, questioned why Thai citizens were unable to choose their…

  • Thailand NewsDutchman found dead with 2 holes in neck in Pattaya condo

    Dutchman found dead with 2 holes in neck in Pattaya condo

    Police are investigating the cause of death and the weapon that left two holes in the neck of a 72 year old Dutchman in a Pattaya condominium. A luxury condominium security guard, on Thap Praya Road in the Bang Lamung district, asked officers from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station to investigate room number 408 on the fourth floor of the…

  • Thailand NewsThai man accuses 3 police of threatening him to steal 3,000 baht

    Thai man accuses 3 police of threatening him to steal 3,000 baht

    A Thai man accused three police officers in the central province of Saraburi of threatening him with a gun and stealing 3,000 baht in cash from him. The 32 year old Thai man, Weerachart Pangate, took to social media to share his corrupt police story. He reported a complaint at Nongkhae Police Station two months ago but he has not…

  • Thailand NewsControversy erupts as Thai doctors clash over mRNA vaccine effect

    Controversy erupts as Thai doctors clash over mRNA vaccine effect

    Thai doctor Thiravat Hemachudha sparked controversy when he shared information about the potentially fatal effect of the messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Covid-19 vaccine, citing English YouTuber John Campbell. Thiravat shared information from the English YouTuber, and retired nurse educator, Campbell, on Facebook on February 19. Thiravat talked about a white clot that was found in people and dead bodies with…

  • Thailand NewsCambodia’s ex-PM Hun Sen visits Thaksin at home in Bangkok

    Cambodia’s ex-PM Hun Sen visits Thaksin at home in Bangkok

    The former Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Sen, arrived at Chan Song La in Bangkok at 10.50am today to meet his friend, the former PM of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. The 74 year old former PM had been at his Chan Song La residence for the fourth consecutive day since his release on parole on February 18. Several Thai politicians…

  • Thailand NewsThai man admits attempted rape of Chinese woman

    Thai man admits attempted rape of Chinese woman

    Police arrested a Thai man for attempting to rape and murder a Chinese woman in Pattaya. The suspect confessed to the attempted rape charge but denied setting her on fire to kill her. The 29 year old Chinese victim, Meilin, filed a complaint at Nong Prue Police Station on February 18 that a Thai motorcycle rider offered her a ride…

  • Thailand NewsKrabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop

    Krabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop

    A Chinese woman went on a rampage in the southern province of Krabi after breaking up with her boyfriend. She blocked the road, attempted to undress, and bit a police officer on the arm. Mueang Krabi Police Station and Tourist Police officers tried to calm the 34 year old Chinese woman, Zhang Yanxin, after she startled motorists. Witnesses reported that…

  • Thailand NewsThai soldier caught selling explicit videos of ex-girlfriend online

    Thai soldier caught selling explicit videos of ex-girlfriend online

    A Thai woman sought help from non-profit organization Be One after police did not file charges against a soldier who sold explicit videos of her online. The 19 year old victim, identified only as A, told the Be One organisation that her ex-boyfriend, Sergeant Apisit, secretly recorded videos during sexual activities and sold them online. She broke up with him…

  • Thailand NewsDrama erupts over transgender actress’ privilege to use gender-neutral title

    Drama erupts over transgender actress’ privilege to use gender-neutral title

    A drama erupted over the privileges of Thai celebrities after a renowned transgender actress was allowed to use a gender-neutral title on her bank account while others were not afforded the same privilege. Miss Tiffany Universe 2007, Thunyarat “Film” Chipraphachin, shared a receipt from Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) of Treechada “Poyd” Hongyok, transferring money to her via Facebook and thanked…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman disappears after argument with her husband

    Thai woman disappears after argument with her husband

    A Thai woman went missing after an argument with her husband in their car at 3am on Sunday. The husband claimed that his wife jumped out of the car and ran away from him, with the GPS indicating her last known location in Chachoengsao province. A friend of the missing 27 year old Thai woman, Chonlada Muthurong, took to social…

  • Thailand NewsBurned skeleton in Khon Kaen landfill confirmed as female

    Burned skeleton in Khon Kaen landfill confirmed as female

    Police confirmed that the burned skeleton found in the landfill in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen was a female under 35 years old. A 66 year old Thai woman came to the police station believing that the skeleton belonged to her missing granddaughter. A water delivery driver discovered the burned skeleton at a dump site in the Waeng Noi…

  • Thailand NewsThaksin denies lese majeste law violation, secures 500,000 baht bail

    Thaksin denies lese majeste law violation, secures 500,000 baht bail

    After being released on parole for only a day, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra turned himself into authorities again, yesterday, February 19, in connection with a lese majeste case. He successfully secured bail of 500,000 baht. The 74 year old former PM was released on parole after a six-month detention at Police General Hospital. On February 18, he returned…

  • Thailand NewsChinese woman escapes attempted rape and murder in Pattaya

    Chinese woman escapes attempted rape and murder in Pattaya

    A Chinese woman is seeking justice after she managed to escape from a Thai man who tried to rape and kill her near a roadside forest beside Siam Country Club in Pattaya. Police are currently searching for the suspect. The Chinese victim, 29 year old Meilin, and her younger brother, 19 year old Chen, called officers from the Nong Prue…

  • Thailand NewsTeenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault

    Teenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault

    A 16 year old Thai girl filed a complaint against a male tattoo artist in Chon Buri province, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a tattoo session. The girl reported the sexual assault to Saensuk Police Station in Chon Buri province and also urged the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share the story with the public. The…

  • Thailand NewsChinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses

    Chinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses

    The Immigration Bureau of Thailand arrested a Chinese man for running an illegal gambling website that caused more than 2.5 billion baht in losses to people in China. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand requested cooperation from the Immigration Bureau to apprehend a 32 year old Chinese suspect named Huang who escaped an…

  • Thailand NewsThai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan

    Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan

    A Thai mother is seeking help from the Government of Thailand after her daughter was seriously injured in a car accident in Taiwan. She has received no assistance from the Taiwanese authorities or the driver’s family. The mother contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, saying her daughter was in hospital in Taiwan following a car accident on February 7, but she cannot…

  • Thailand NewsThailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit

    Thailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit

    Police arrested a Thai man for fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in the central province of Suphan Buri. Another suspect is still at large. Officers at U Thong Police Station in the U Thong district of Suphan Buri received a report of the stabbing on the evening of Saturday, February 17. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered…

  • Thailand NewsThaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole

    Thaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole

    Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, was released on parole following six months in hospital. He returned to his home, Ban Chan Song La, in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok yesterday, February 18. His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality. Thaksin arrived in Thailand on August 22 last year after 15 years…

  • Thailand NewsLocals rally to clean up messy situation for Thai-Scottish family in Pattaya

    Locals rally to clean up messy situation for Thai-Scottish family in Pattaya

    Locals sought help for a Thai woman and her half Thai half Scottish sons living in an unhealthy, rubbish-strewn house in Pattaya. The three were reportedly in financial trouble after the woman’s Scottish husband left Thailand four years ago. Residents in the northern Pattaya neighbourhood urged Amarin TV to tell the family’s story in a bid to find help for…